Western Australia's capital city Perth offers a vibrant, yet easy-going and natural lifestyle surrounded by the beautiful Swan River, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, and the Indian Ocean.

Perth is Australia's sunniest capital city, and has been voted one of the most liveable cities in the world. Its spectacular natural surroundings are rivalled only by its vibrant city life and cultural landscape. Visitors can dine on local produce at a newly opened restaurant or bar, picnic in one of the world's largest inner city parks, explore a world-class wine region or watch the sun set over the ocean – all within 30 minutes of the central business district (CBD).

Right now there's a real buzz of excitement around Perth, following the opening of new bars, restaurants, retail outlets, cultural spaces, and the commencement of major infrastructure projects which are changing the face of the city. New life has been injected into Perth, and many are calling it Australia's new 'hot' city. Recent openings include The Print Hall, The Trustee Bar and Bistro, The Heritage and Bar Lafayette – all first-class venues within the extensive Brookfield Place precinct – an area that has now become a bustling hub in the city, following the transformation of some of the city's most valued heritage buildings.

Other new kids on the block in the CBD include Jamie's Italian, The Aviary, The Butterworth Bar & Kitchen, Sentinel Bar & Grill, Wolf Lane, The Cheeky Sparrow, Venn, The Conservatory, Lamonts Bishop's House, Lalla Rookh and The Lost Society.

And it's not just happening in the CBD – the expansion and transformation extends into the inner-city precincts such Northbridge, Mount Lawley, Leederville and Subiaco.

Northbridge has undergone an extensive transformation. At its heart is the Perth Cultural Centre (PCC) – a place where the arts, culture, community and knowledge come together. At home in the PCC is the Art Gallery of WA, WA Museum, State Library, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, Blue Room Theatre, the State Theatre Centre (opened in January 2011, and includes the Heath Ledger Theatre), and others.

Thanks to a project by the State's Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, the area has been refreshed and transformed into a dynamic and lively outdoor space. New additions include an Urban Orchard (sustainable vegetable garden beds), a wetland, an outdoor screen, green spaces and free WiFi. During summer, the area hosts events such as the Fringe World Festival, Laneway Festival and the Chevron Festival Gardens at the Perth International Arts Festival, as well as housing a variety of markets and stalls throughout the year.

On the border of the PCC is William Street. Unused heritage buildings have been given a new lease on life, and the street is now synonymous with cutting-edge fashion, independent retailers, creative industries and cosy small bars, and it continues to evolve. There is a certain enthusiasm that exists around the area, with collectives such as On William promoting the street's offerings and hosting a yearly street festival.

The area is easily accessible with public transport close by, and it will become even closer to the city when the Perth City Link project is completed (details below).

Accommodation developments around Perth

The Terrace Hotel

The Terrace Hotel opened in November 2012, and is located in the heart of Perth's CBD at the west end of St George's Terrace. Set among modern buildings, the heritage-listed St George's House was built in 1892 and has been reborn as the Terrace Hotel with 15 luxurious suites on offer. A restaurant with garden terrace dining, bar, wine cellar and private function room are also onsite. www.terracehotelperth.com.au

Fraser Suites Perth

Fraser Suites Perth opened in November 2012 and is the first new major five-star accommodation offering in Perth for more than six years. The 236 room gold star apartments are located within the Queens Riverside development on Adelaide Terrace in East Perth. Residents and hotel guests arrive via a dazzling porte cochere on Adelaide Terrace, beneath a sparkling canopy with cascading ponds, vertical gardens and a gallery of public artworks. Inside, Fraser Suites Perth includes an innovative range of room configurations including 'dual key' interconnecting suites that enable a studio apartment and adjoining one bedroom suite to be combined to create a two bedroom, two bathroom suite. www.frasershospitality.com

Four Points by Sheraton Perth

The former Citigate Perth has been converted into Four Points by Sheraton Perth, with a six month, multi-million dollar redevelopment completed in February 2013. The 278 rooms and suites have undergone a total transformation, while the lobby, restaurant and bar have undergone major works. A new fitness centre is now open, and meeting venues also refreshed. www.fourpoints.com/perth

Crown Towers

Crown Limited has shown its long term commitment to Perth with its decision to develop a new six star, luxury hotel to be known as Crown Towers Perth. The total investment in the Crown Towers project (inclusive of land) is expected to be $568 million. The new 500 room luxury hotel will add to the suite of hotel accommodation options at the Crown Perth Complex and will be a big boost to the local economy. Upon completion, Crown Towers Perth will be the largest hotel in Perth and will take hotel room capacity at Crown Perth to nearly 1,200 rooms. Construction is expected to commence in 2013 and the hotel, which will take approximately three years to complete, will comprise 500 rooms and include restaurants, bars, resort and convention facilities www.crownlimited.com

Holiday Inn Express Perth

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) will introduce one of the world's fastest growing hotel brands to Australia, with the signing of the Holiday Inn Express hotel in a prime Perth CBD location. Perth-based developer Sunfire Asset has engaged IHG to manage a new-build 224-room Holiday Inn Express hotel, to be located at 257 Adelaide Terrace, overlooking the Swan River. The new AU$35 million development will incorporate a 20-floor hotel and a circa 1888 heritage house, with construction expected to commence in mid-2013 and the opening slated for early 2015. It's the first Holiday Inn Express to be built in Australia. www.holidayinnexpress.com  www.ihg.com

Other new hotel developments for Perth include the $280 million proposal by Singaporean luxury chain Amara Hotels Group to build a 33-storey, 250-room hotel on Adelaide Terrace in the Old Treasury Building.

Major projects – completed and underway

Perth Arena

Perth's new entertainment, music and sporting venue - the Perth Arena – opened in November, 2012. A multipurpose facility with a capacity of 15,500, Perth Arena is also the new home for international tennis tournament, the Hyundai Hopman Cup. 

The arena has a retractable roof, permanent tennis court surface, 36 corporate suites and was constructed using 6,250 tonnes of Australian steel. It's located between Perth city and Northbridge, within the new Northbridge Link precinct.www.pertharena.com.au

Perth Waterfront Development: Elizabeth Quay

Elizabeth Quay is the centrepiece of a bold plan to revitalise central Perth and return the city's focus to the iconic Swan River. Covering nearly 10 hectares of prime riverfront land between Barrack and William streets, the $2.6 billion project will feature a stunning 2.7 hectare inlet surrounded by a split level promenade, new public spaces, shops, cafes, restaurants and exciting entertainment venues.

It will also include hotel and short stay accommodation, significant commercial space and new inner city residential options. When completed, Elizabeth Quay will be a place where people gather by the river to work, live and celebrate occasions big and small.

Perth Stadium

The new Perth Stadium will form a permanent centrepiece for the redevelopment of the Burswood Peninsula on the Swan River. It will be one of the major sporting and entertainment venues for Perth and one of the major international sporting venues for Australia.

The stadium will have tiered seating and a total capacity of 60,000 seats. The standard of the stadium, including its functionality, services, finishes and fit out will be equivalent to world's best practice.

Perth City Link

Perth City Link will reconnect the CBD with Northbridge for the first time in 100 years, and create a vibrant new mixed-use precinct that will revitalise and dramatically change the face of Perth.

It involves sinking the Fremantle rail line from Perth Station to Lake/King streets, undergrounding of the Wellington Street Bus Station and creating five new connections between the CBD and Northbridge.

When completed Perth City Link will deliver significant benefits for locals and tourists alike – better access and connectivity; more residential, retail, entertainment and commercial opportunities; and more than four hectares of high quality public spaces.

Riverside

Located on the banks of the Swan River in East Perth, the 40-hectare Riverside project is transforming the city's eastern gateway. Upon completion, the area will be a cosmopolitan waterfront community and tourist destination with a range of entertainment, commercial, retail, civic and residential uses that take advantage of its unique location.

As part of the the project, the flagship Waterbank precinct will feature a natural beach area surrounded by public promenades, green open space including a large wetland area, and a direct connection from Hay Street to the Swan River with a new river pier.

Perth Airport

A $750 million transformation of Perth Airport is well underway and represents the first stage towards having all commercial air services in Perth operating from one convenient location within the next 10 years.

perthairport.com.au

For more news on the changing face of Perth, pick up a Tourism Western Australia media kit from the Tourism Western Australia stand or email michelle.kosonen@westernaustralia.com or sarah.turnbull@westernaustralia.com.